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$9.6 Million Lawsuit filed by Borgata against Phil Ivey

Phil Ivey is known for being the best poker player in the world. Ivey is now known for being sued in two different countries for alleged cheating in Baccarat. Atlantic City's Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is suing Ivey for $9.6 million in winnings at the Baccarat table, according to a report in the New Jersey Law Journal on Friday, April 11th, 2014.

According to the lawsuit filed by the Borgata, a flaw in playing cards due to a manufacturing defect was utilized by Ivey in four sessions of baccarat in 2012 at the casino. It's believed that Ivey used "edge sorting" to spot tiny variations in the pattern printed on the backs of the cards.

The Borgata is also suing card manufacturer Gemaco Inc., who is responsible for the design of the cards, along with Ivey's partner, Cheng Yin Sun, who is said to have given instructions to the dealer while accompanying Ivey to the Baccarat table.

The lawsuit lists breach of contract, conversion, racketeering, fraud, unjust enrichment, and civil conspiracy as some of the charges.

This isn't Ivey's first rodeo with Bacarrat cards and edge-sorting and lawsuits. He is suing Crockfords Casino for withholding £7.8 million (about $12 million) he won playing Punto Banco, a form of baccarat in a very similar case where Crockfords claimed the "edge sorting" method was used by Ivey at the casino.

The following graphic, courtesy of the Daily Mail, explains the technique used by Ivey:

Ivey showed no shame when he said Crockfords was to blame for not recognizing the defects in the cards as evidenced by his statement released last May.

"I am deeply saddened that Crockfords has left me no alternative but to proceed with legal action, following its decision to withhold my winnings. I have much respect for Gentings, which has made this a very difficult decision for me... Over the years I have won and lost substantial sums at Crockfords and I have always honored my commitments. At the time, I was given a receipt for my winnings but Crockfords subsequently withheld payment. I, therefore, feel I have no alternative but to take legal action."